Hi,
Can anyone advise me please? When I had my HH torch I was quite good (even though I say it myself!) at making patterns on beads such as scrolls and swirls using fine stringer. On my Minor, I just can't seem to get more than half a swirl before the stringer melts and blobs. It's obviously a completely different technique on an oxy set up. Can anyone please tell me what the secret is?
Thanks.
Mand
Hmm.....you'll ave different people tell you different things, I think in the end, it's whatever works for you. Some find the 'sweet spot' just to the side of the flame, then leave the stringer there and just move the bead; others work underneath the flame with virtually only residual heat, some turn the flame right down to only a titchy one..........I tend to use all three, depending on what I'm trying to do.... :-\
I generally turn the flame down and work close to the torch.
Sometimes I do use the sweet spot method but not often, and usually only with thicker stringers.
In the end, it's all about practice.
The flame on the minor is a much higher temperature and it's more concentrated so there is less "room" for the sweet spot position, if you see what I mean.
I work at the very top of the flame - even to the point where the flame has disappeared.
Don't forget to stick out your tongue, stand on tiptoes and mutter to the stringer fairy ... it all helps, as long as there's an R in the month ;D
Quote from: Mand on May 03, 2010, 08:46:46 AM
Hi,
On my Minor, I just can't seem to get more than half a swirl before the stringer melts and blobs. It's obviously a completely different technique on an oxy set up. Can anyone please tell me what the secret is?
Thanks.
Mand
I know the frustration well! I was on a HH and then changed to a Bobcat (took me ages to adjust and still doing it now ;D)
I took a lesson with Laura Sparling and after that turned the flame right down and worked just above the flame and found that my stringer control improved immensely - however, in turning the flame right down I over heated my Bobcat and although it was easily reparable, it's not nice being told off my Martin and Horace :(
So if you do turn the flame down, make sure you don't over heat the torch. One thing that may help is to work way out almost where the flame is not visible as Sal says and of course PPP (I STILL burn my fingernails though!)
When you find that sweet spot, it's brilliant!
(A good idea I read somewhere is to practise stringer with the same colour as the base bead, then when you're done just melt it all in and then spacer bead, so no wastage!)
And of course, praying to the stringer gods helps as well! ;D
You can turn the minor down without damaging it. They don't seem to be as fussy as the other torches. As I keep saying - I've had my minor for ten eleven years and it's had quite a lot of abuse from passing students and myself.
Thanks folks. I will have another go tomorrow. ;D
A good idea I read somewhere is to practise stringer with the same colour as the base bead, then when you're done just melt it all in and then spacer bead, so no wastage!
Now that's a great idea!! Me-thinks I'll be trying that one. ;D
Right, I've had another try and it works best for me turning the flame right down and moving the bead rather than stringer. Thanks very much! :)
;D Just watch those finger nails! LOL
Er, yes, they are a bit shorter than they were last week, rather singed looking..... :-X :P ;)
Quote from: Mand on May 04, 2010, 04:40:38 PM
Er, yes, they are a bit shorter than they were last week, rather singed looking..... :-X :P ;)
ewww the smell...... :-\
What a great idea,
(A good idea I read somewhere is to practise stringer with the same colour as the base bead, then when you're done just melt it all in and then spacer bead, so no wastage!)
Simples - but I would never have thought of it!
Also works for accurate dot placement. (using small dots of the same base bead colour)
Shelia